Hello all.

I have this problem, that i cant seem to connect to my home computer (linux or windows) through my computer at work. (running windows 7) I have tried with different VNC clients.. but the connection is blocked. I know that the ports are filtered by the IT department.. but im asking this, because i am able to connect to my ssh server at home, through port 5000 from work. So far, it only works with this port..

So why dosent it work with a vnc viewer on port 5000, but if i use ssh it does? Is there a way i can work around this?

I know its not the most obvious place to post this, but this is the best place to ask network questions..

Thanks alot

For you to reach ssh on port 5000 on your home server, something at your home must be allowing port 5000 to your home machine from your access point (router or modem) in some way. If you have it mapping 5000 to port 22 that works one way, or if you have ssh running on port 5000 on your server it can pass through direct 5000 to 5000. Here is the problem, you cannot have one port assigned to two different mappings. 5000 can be either for ssh, or for vnc, but not for both.

You can do vnc over ssh through this kind of mapping, though it is a bit tricky and inefficient (ESP through a NAT). You can google for that technique, now that you know what to look for.

If you can find or create another port mapping or allowance, you might run vnc direct on that different port. Be aware, neither vnc nor rdp are very secure. The vnc over ssh may be your better option.

Another option might be something like logmein. A service running on the internet that your home server connect to, and your work computer can connect to, that acts as a logon connector between them. Alas, my list of such services is FAR out of date. Perhaps someone else here can offer some additional suggestions.

I hope that helps.

Hi.

Thanks for the reply..

I will try the simmilar services to logmein, because my workplace has blocked web access to logmein's website, and other popular sites, just like it. But i found one, that wasnt blocked.. just a shame that they charge money for the service.. Im not 100pct sure that it would work, but its worth a shot.. i will try it out next time i get to work! Just dont hope it will get me into trouble..!

Many companies block any sort of remote. You might get fired. Why not ask your IT people for assistance in providing you clearance to use remote software.

You really shouldn't expose your work and home systems. Kind of a security issue.

Especially the security abomination that is VNC...

Teamviewer could work too, it's similar to Logmein.

The real question is why you [think you] need a full graphical remote desktop interface to a Linux box?

You are right.. i better ask the IT department first before i do anything else!

Teamviewer had worked before, but now its totally blocked.. cant even use it with a proxy.. ive tried 3-4 other remote esktop apps, none work!

I have Linux Mint on my computer at home. It takes 100 times longer to move folders around in terminal, than it does in the GUI. And mostly i use my Windows machine, with WinSCP and putty to control my raspberry pi..

But the IT deparment will most likely say NO to this... Because it is not work related..

Don't know how i twist it, so that they will accept it..Any ideas? My work is not primarily related to IT...

3 Things:
1) You must be the slowest typer on the face of the planet, or you don't know how to use auto-completion?
2) You don't need remote desktop access to the machine to run GUIs.
3) Why do you need to "move folders around" on your home computer as quickly as possible from work?

Why do you need remote desktop access for that?

I don't mean to be rude, it just seems to me like this is the wrong solution to a nonexistent problem, which could even cost you your job.

I think there's a way to get VNC over HTTP via Java, along with SSH, but really, why do you need it? You're at work to work, not play on your home PC remotely.

If they are this strict then you might be way better off using your own hotspot on a laptop to your home. It just gets too close to trouble from what you are saying.


I used to use acrobat.com (not the reader) to access home via port web page. It did get past a strict firewall but since it is a windows AD computer one can be monitored. Not worth getting a few days off so I use phone to access remote computer if needed.

This one actually made me laugh because I can see what you mean. but I am not just moving files around. In my break I like to use remote desktop to help family members with their PC issues, and maintain my own home network . It's not so easy to describe but it is kind of what I mean. I don't want to risk my job over this so that's why I want to ask the IT department for permission. I haven't heard about auto completion before. I manily use putty with Windows 7. I would imagine it existed, but haven't really researched into it.


And thanks to the others who have posted about this you made me think twice about this, and I am surely going to contact the IT department.. or perhaps, just concentrate about work when im at work.. Buy when your a geek like me, i can't stop thinking about my personal projects through out the day!

Tab is your friend. Type "cd ", then the first letter or couple of letters of the directory you're interested in, and press Tab. It'll complete as far as it can, then you can type another couple of letters to complete it the rest of the way. If you want to see the matches for the current text, press Tab twice. Eg:

Type "cd a<TAB>" and it'll auto-complete alsoadir
Type "cd d<TAB>" and it'll auto-complete "dir". Press <TAB> twice more and it'll print the two options, dir1 and dir2. Then you just add "1" or "2" to finish it off
Type "ls f<TAB>" and it'll auto-complete "fi". Press "r<TAB>" and it'll auto-complete "firstfile"

You can also have programmable completion, where if you're running "cd", it'll only auto-complete directories, or if you run "evince" it'll only audo-complete pdfs, or whatever you want.

just described is "tab expansion" and it is shell specific. I disremember when shells have this, but BASH and KORN (KSH) come to mind. Behavior under other shells may (will) differ.

Thanks to the last 3 posters.. Didn't know i could use the TAB key this way...
Definetly a usefull tip!!